Coleambally resident Georgia Black was among a group of 15 youngsters from the region competing in a smartphone photography competition this month. The 20-year-old chose a photo of sunset rays piercing the trees of her family farm as her submission for the group's Shining a Light on Me competition. The competition was aimed at residents aged 15 to 21 years and gave participants the task of submitting a photograph which best illustrated what it is that makes them unique. The program was a smartphone photography competition run by the Personnel Group and began in November and ran in Griffith, Albury, Wodonga, Wagga, Wangaratta and Benalla. Georgia said she enjoyed the chance to show off the beauty of her hometown. "I think it's a chance to express yourself, put yourself out there and meet new people," Georgia said. "It's my backyard at my dad's farm, we're just outside of the Coly on the highway." Program coordinator Chelsea Fraser said the Personnel Group received 100 entries about 20 of which came from the MIA. Since being entered online the photos have been on display at Griffith Central. In the state-wide division, Griffith resident Beau Routley won third place out of the six regions in the judged category. Beau's photo showed he and his father sharing a moment of pride for his achievements during a local league match. Although she did not win any prizes at the competition Georgia was pleased to see her friend from Leeton, Evie Morrison win the most popular online vote category for her photo of herself and her equestrian horse. "What I wanted to say was that you should focus on what comes from your heart and from yourself and not to worry what other people think," Evie said. "If I listened to everyone when I was back in high school I wouldn't be where I am now with horse riding because everyone thought it was lame. "I used to do pony club, but now I have started doing campdrafts and have actually won two ribbons on that horse, third place at the Carrathool Campdraft and the Miragen Campdraft." A love of horses was a recurring theme among the MIA region's youth with Griffith Resident Jade Earl winning the community vote for her photo of her sister Dakota nuzzling her horse Banjo. Jade said her inspiration for the photo was the joy she felt at seeing her sister grow-up around horses like she did. Jade said entering in the contest was a big step for her. She said it greatly helped her to develop the confidence to promote herself and her work in public. This year Jade says she is going to begin studying to become a veterinarian as well as continuing her work with Riding For The Disabled. Jade's mother Kim said " I thinks it's very inspiring more people are getting interested with horses." "There are young people and you see them up at Dalton Park more people are getting around it," Kim said. Jade's father Michael said he was proud of his daughters achievement and was happy to see her become less introverted with her work and creativity. All readers are able to sign up for our breaking news updates, while subscribers to The Observer will have exclusive access to our weekly editor's wrap newsletter. Sign up here.

Georgia Black lets Colembally shine at photography contest

Young photographers: Evie Morrison and Georgia Black participated in this year's Shining a Light on Me Contest, while Evie took a photo of her equestrian horse Gerogria decided on sunset at her dad's farm. PHOTO: Reuben Wylie

Coleambally resident Georgia Black was among a group of 15 youngsters from the region competing in a smartphone photography competition this month.

The 20-year-old chose a photo of sunset rays piercing the trees of her family farm as her submission for the group's Shining a Light on Me competition.

Coly sunset: Georgia Black took this photo at her father's farm just outside of Coly this year, Georgia said this type of scene is typical of the trees that can be found around Coly at this time of year. PHOTO: Georgia Black

The competition was aimed at residents aged 15 to 21 years and gave participants the task of submitting a photograph which best illustrated what it is that makes them unique.

The program was a smartphone photography competition run by the Personnel Group and began in November and ran in Griffith, Albury, Wodonga, Wagga, Wangaratta and Benalla.

Georgia said she enjoyed the chance to show off the beauty of her hometown.

"I think it's a chance to express yourself, put yourself out there and meet new people," Georgia said.

"It's my backyard at my dad's farm, we're just outside of the Coly on the highway."

Program coordinator Chelsea Fraser said the Personnel Group received 100 entries about 20 of which came from the MIA.

Since being entered online the photos have been on display at Griffith Central.

In the state-wide division, Griffith resident Beau Routley won third place out of the six regions in the judged category.

Beau's photo showed he and his father sharing a moment of pride for his achievements during a local league match.

Although she did not win any prizes at the competition Georgia was pleased to see her friend from Leeton, Evie Morrison win the most popular online vote category for her photo of herself and her equestrian horse.

"What I wanted to say was that you should focus on what comes from your heart and from yourself and not to worry what other people think," Evie said.

"If I listened to everyone when I was back in high school I wouldn't be where I am now with horse riding because everyone thought it was lame.

"I used to do pony club, but now I have started doing campdrafts and have actually won two ribbons on that horse, third place at the Carrathool Campdraft and the Miragen Campdraft."

A love of horses was a recurring theme among the MIA region's youth with Griffith Resident Jade Earl winning the community vote for her photo of her sister Dakota nuzzling her horse Banjo.

Jade said her inspiration for the photo was the joy she felt at seeing her sister grow-up around horses like she did.

Jade said entering in the contest was a big step for her.

She said it greatly helped her to develop the confidence to promote herself and her work in public.

This year Jade says she is going to begin studying to become a veterinarian as well as continuing her work with Riding For The Disabled.

Jade's mother Kim said " I thinks it's very inspiring more people are getting interested with horses."

"There are young people and you see them up at Dalton Park more people are getting around it," Kim said.

Jade's father Michael said he was proud of his daughters achievement and was happy to see her become less introverted with her work and creativity.

All readers are able to sign up for our breaking news updates, while subscribers to The Observer will have exclusive access to our weekly editor's wrap newsletter. Sign up here.